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Immigration: Compassion Versus Keeping America Safe

Suppose three total strangers knock on your front door. Two are nice and decent people, but one is out to get you. The problem is that you do not know who is who. Would you invite all three of them into your home?  You might rather take some time to learn about each individual and to sort out the good from the bad. You would then consider inviting the good guys in, but refuse entrance to the one who would cause trouble.

The above scenario is probably an oversimplified analogy of the current immigration issue, but it makes an important point. There must be compassion on refugees, especially those who are fleeing countries where there has been religious persecution or evil and tyrannical governments. At the same time, a nation has an obligation to protect its people from evil intruders. The temporary ban on immigration from certain countries and the building of a wall both are an attempt to allow the good in, and keep the bad out. I am sadly surprised, however, that so many are making compassion the main issue to the complete overriding of the necessity of protecting the American people. Some of these same individuals probably have fences around their yards, and perhaps even walls or security gates. Why?  One reason is to prevent any unwanted visitors from entering. Enough said on the political and social side of this issue.

Is there a spiritual factor in all of this? The Bible talks about compassion in many passages.  Here are two such examples:

Deuteronomy 15:11  For the poor will never cease to be in the land. Therefore I command you saying, ‘You shall freely open your hand to your brother, to your needy and poor in your land.’

I John 3:17  Whoever has the world’s goods, and beholds his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him?

Are we, however, to have compassion on those who may have evil intent?  Is it wrong for Christians not to? What if the one person allowed across our borders would be the one who ends up terrorizing your community, or causes a lock down at your child’s school?  I highly doubt that your first attitude would be one of compassion.  

There is a bigger picture in this immigration issue. We are engaged in a battle between good and evil. The Bible predicted that in the last days before the return of Jesus people would call evil good, and good evil. Letting all people come to our country with no regard for their intentions appears to be okay by some. The vast majority of Americans , though, are in support of this temporary ban.

President Trump was placed in power by God for a reason. He was elected to “make America safe again.” Psalm 75:7 proclaims, “But God is the judge; He puts down one and exalts another.” Government is also ordained by God, as expressed in Romans 13. “…For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God.”  Our president is seeking to weed out the bad from the good in those who come to our land, though some believe he is going to the extreme in doing so.

Yes, we can and should show compassion on those who want to come to America for noble reasons. At the same time those who have evil intentions must be given the boot. Whatever happens, we need to wait and see how all of this plays out in the long-term. It is much too soon to pass judgment. One thing is for sure; God is in control. Hopefully everything materializes for the blessing of America. Only time will tell, but God already knows.

What do you think the long-term result will be for America?  How do you think God’s hand is in all of this?

About John Clark

John Livingston Clark is 74 years of age and lives in central Washington State. He has written two published books, and two published poems. His initial book is called, " God's Healing Hope: Breaking the Strongholds of Wrong Thinking." His second book, released in December of 2016, is a motivational book written to seniors titled, " Seniors: Are You Retiring or Recharging?" Both books are available on amazon. You can also view his writings on www.faithwriters.com. His “Poem For Senior Citizens” is in the 5th spot on FW.

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8 comments

  1. Great article John, I wish everyone was able to see this situation the way you see it! I totally agree with you.

  2. Thank Jason, for your comment. I hope this whole thing plays out in a positive way real soon.

  3. Right on, John. Two kingdoms, two agendas at work here. The church needs to discern which one is behind the immigration issue, and what is the mind of Christ. We’d also better pay closer attention to the mess Europe is in after letting in all these “refugees” (many are migrants or opportunists).

  4. It’s a wonder more Americans don’t question why Saudi Arabia and the UAE and other wealthy Islamic nations don’t step up to the plate and help out their Muslim brothers? There’s an explanation: #1 They don’t care, so it falls to nations with Judeo-Christian foundations to open their hearts and their doors. #2 In a CNN article last year, spokesmen in Saudi Arabia expressed concerns that sect clashes between varying Muslim groups would bring about violence (they’re afraid of terrorism!) and #3 We’re in the middle of a worldwide Caliphate which has been universally declared by Imams around the world, and our chief reaction is to stop up our ears and insist that they couldn’t possibly mean it.

    • Thanks for your comment, Emily. Here is a quote from President Trump at the recent annual prayer breakfast: “So, in the coming days, we will develop a system to help ensure that those admitted into our country fully embrace our values of religious and personal liberty, and that they reject any form of oppression or discrimination. We want people to come into our nation, but we want people to love us and to love our values – not to hate us and to hate our values.”

    • I just came across an article posted by the Daily Wire: “Islamophobic Saudi Arabia Deports 40,000 Muslim Pakistanis, City Terrorism Concerns.” And people think that WE are targeting Muslims?

  5. Thanks for your comment, Emily. It is a good reminder that there is much more at stake here than people realize.

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